Hydraulic turbine



Dern 11, 11.928;

H. B."rAY|.QR 111191111111110 TURBINE original/511e@ July 24.A 1917 .lll

' INVENTOR lil Patented Dec. 11, i928.

ilhllgTi-@ STATS HARVEY BIRCHARD TAYLOR, OF PHILADELPHIA, ENNSYLVANIA.

HYDnaULrc TURBINE.

Original application filed July 24, 1917, Serial No. 182,498. Dividedand this application filed September 21, 1923.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a new and improvedsubstructure for a hydraulic turbine of the inflow type. A. furtherobject is to provide an improved conduit for receiving a whirlingdischarge from the runner and directing it downwardly andoutwardly alonga curved ilaring path of constantly increasing radius. Another object ofmy invention is to provide suitable supporting means for such a turbineand its associated `masonry structure. Another object is to malte a stayvane ring to go in the draft conduit of such a turbine. Still anotherobject of my invention is to provide columns or piers in the draftconduit beneath such a turbine that shall be effective as supports forthe superposed ystructure and at the same time have the properdisposition as vanes with respect to the water flow in the conduit.These and other objects of my invention will be made apparent in thefollowing disclosure of a limited number of examples of formsin whichthe invention may be embodied.

Following is a description which refers specifically to these respectivemodiiications; it will be apparent that other modifications may be madethat will embody the same inventive idea.

Fig. 1 is a vertical axial section taken on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2showing one embodi-V ment of my invention, and

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectionvtalren onthe line 2 2 of Fig. l.

The turbine runner 32, shown in Figs. 1 and 2. has the vanes 3l andiscarried by the shaft 33 mounted in the lower bearing 34 which issupported by the head cover 35 in the lower end of the pit 36. This pit36 is formed in the concrete structure 37, and also formed therein isthe conduit 38 for the water that is supplied to the turbine runner.This conduit V38 has piers which. support the upper wall from the lowerwall and are shaped efficiently to direct and distribute the flow or".water as it approaches the Iguide vanes and runner. The supply conduit38terminates in a spiral or volute portion 39 surrounding the runner 32.A speed ring provided7 which. consists of the metal speed ring vanes 40cast integrally with the top 'and bottom rings 4l and 42. Thus theentire speed ring` may be one casting or it may be cast in segments withone or more vanos 40 and the proximate portions Serial No. 663,952.

in which the flow passes to and throughthe runner 41 and down to theoutflow `conduit 45. This runner space extends downward belowi the guidevanes 44 and its lower portion is bounded by the inner exposed surfaceof the lower ring casting v42 of the speed vane ring formed by the upperand lower Arings 4l and 42 and stay vanes 40. This speed vane ring 42 issupported from below bythe crown ring 51of the lower stay vanes 49. .v

Below-the runner 32 formed in the concrete structure`37 is the outflowconduit45 for the 'water discharged from the runner 32. The upper wallor roof surface of this outflow conduit 45 isa smooth continuation ofthe flaring wall 51and is supported by a pier 45 which is .sov disposedas most efficiently to direct and distribute the flow of watertherethrough. The axial flow or entrance portion of the outflow conduit45 directly beneath the runner 32 receives the iow between the outerflaringwall 51 and the central conical core 46 forming between them anannular passage which spreads andv turns and dccelerates the flow anddelivers it to opposite `spiral chambers 55, each ot which receives thewater from approximately i8()0 of the whole angular space around theaxis of the runner. It will be seen that the two streams in the twochambers 55 are directed oppositely, as indicated by the Vdotted lines55',l but they imite in onestream in the conduit 45.l f There is onespecial pier atthc beginning of the spiral. yconduit and this isdesignated 49', but it is to be noticed that the remaining piers orvanes 49 are not of the same shape because part of them must be adaptedfor a right-hand direction and the others for aleft-hand direction. Thisdifference in shape is apparent in Fig. 2. The

lupstream end Z of the discharge chambers 55 `is tangent to the VVstreamdescending through the .inlet portion of the draft tube and thisupstream end iswedge-shaped as yturned outward between this core and theouter flaring wall 5l. From this annular passage whichis symmetricalaround a vertical axis the flow passes outward and is collected in thetwo opposite spiral chambers 55 which together with the dischargeconduit l5 form theradially directed' discharge portion of the draftconduit. The draft conduit is thus as a whole of generally elbow shapewith an inner graduallyr curved bend 'IV along theflaring surfacelwvhich turns and merges with the top surface of the discharge portionof the conduit 45: The outward flaring shape of theouter wall 5l of theaxial or entrance portion of the draft conduit spreads the flow outwardon all sides into the spira-l collect-ingV chambers 55 so that the shapeofthe draft conduit at the elbow portion .is relatively wide and flatand acts both to collect the ilcw and to 'turn it down streamtoward thedischarge outlet l5 of the conduit.

Considering the elbow formed by the draft conduitas whole the inner bendW is a gradually curving surface of relatively large radius of'curvaturewhile the outer bend X is formed between surfaces meetinginrelatively'sharp angles so that' this outer portion does not have thegradual curvature of the inner portion of the elbow. At this outerportion of the elbow the flaring surface of the entrance portion of thedraft conduit is extended substantially "axially as indicated at Z toform 'the endsurface of the discharge chambers 55. rlhis application isa divisionof my Patent No. 1,490,297 issued April .15, 1924. I

I claim: f

l. In combination, a turbine runner, a structure on the discharge sideof said runner having an outflow. conduit with walls formed as suriracesof revolution around the runner axis and leading the discharge outwardaway from said axis and stayvanes between said walls arranged in aseries around said axis, said vanes being inclined to radii of said axisand vanes on one side of the conduit having a different sectional.

curvature from vanes on the other-'side of the conduit. Y

2. In combination, a turbine .'runner, a structure on tl'iedischargcside of'said runner having an 'outflow conduit with walls formed assurfaces of revolution around the runner axis and leading thekdischargev eutward away from ,said'axis and-stay vanes between saidwalls arranged in a series (D r around said axis, said vanes beinginclined to radii of said axis and vaneson one side of the conduithaving a different sectional curvature from vanes on Athe other side ofthe conduit and passages receiving the flow from said vanes and guidingsaid flow toward tail water. v

3. In combination, a turbine runner, a structureV on the discharge sideof said runner having an outflow conduit with walls formed as surfacesof revolution around the runner axis and leading the discharge outwardaway from said axis and stay vanes between saidV walls arranged inl aseries around said axis, said vanes being inclined to radii of said axisand vanes on one side of the conduit having a different sectionalcurvature from vanes on the other side of the conduit and a pluralityVof'volute passages receiving the 'flow from said vanes and guiding saidflow toward tail water.

i. In combination, a turbine runner, a masonry structure around theturbine axis and having an outflow conduit formed ytherein and a seriesof metal stay vanes in said conduit arranged in a series which surroundsthe runner axis and stays opposite walls of the 'conduit rigidlytogether, each such stay vane having small thickness transverse to thedirection of flow and being-r set ata suitable angle te a planeV throughthe vane and Containing the turbine axis, so as te offer small.resistance to the outflowingfwater and vanes at one side oftheconduithaving a differentA sectional shape from vanes 'onthe other sideof said conduit. y Y

5. In combination, a turbine runner `with vertical axis, a masonryfoundation structure aroundl the runner axis having annuiflow conduitformed therein and a circular series of metal stay yvanes in saidconduit surrounding said vertical axis and supporting the upper wall ofsaid conduit on the lower wall thereof, said vanes shaped in conformitywith expanding spiral paths of flow of the water and vanes on one sideof the conduit `having a different sectional shape from vanes on theother side of said conduit.

6. In a hydraulic turbine the combination with a runner having asul'jstantially axial discharge, of a draft tube therefor comprising anouter wallforined as surface of revolution Haring outwardly away fromthe axis, a central conical core member having its surface similarlyvflarerhsaid core and walls forming between thein an annular passageradiallyiiaring from a central axis in lines adapted to maintain theflow in annular hollow column formatien Vwhile changing its directionand decelerating its velocity, and a chamber surrounding the outlet ofsaid annular passage 'and compris-L ing two collection chamberswitheccentric side walls turning the flow toward ytail water. I

7. In a hydraulic turbinthe combination loo ii o

Cil

with a runner having a substantially axial. discharge, of a draft tubetherefor comprising an outer wall formed as a surface of revolutionflaring outwardly away from the axis, a central conical core memberhaving its surface similarly flared, said core and walls forming betweenthem an annular passage radially flaring from a central axis in linesadapted to maintain the flow in annular hollow column formation whilechanging its direction and decelerating its velocity, and a Achambersurrounding the outlet of said annular passage and comprising twocollection chambers with eccentricside walls turning the flowtoward tailwater and an outlet passage having a pier member extending in thedirection .of the flow lines.

8. In a hydraulic turbine the combination with a runner having asubstantially axial discharge, of a draft tube therefor comprising 'anouter wall formed as a surface of revolution flaring outwardly away fromthe axis, a central conical core member having its surface similarlyflared, said core and walls forming between them an annular passageradially flaring from a central axis in lines adapted to maintain theflow in annular hollow column formation while changing its direction anddecelerating its velocity, and a chamber surrounding the outlet of saidannular passage and comprising two collection chambers with eccentricside walls turning the flow toward tail water and aI series of stayvanes at the outlet of said annular passage.

9. In a hydraulic turbine the combination with a runner having asubstantially axial discharge, of a drift tube therefor comprising anouter wall formed as a surfacev of revolution flaring outwardlyaway'from the axis, a central conical core member having its surfacesimilarly flared, said core and walls forming between them an annularpassage radially flaring from a central axis in lines adapted tomaintain the flow in annular hollow column formation while changing itsdirection and decelerating its velocity, and a chamber surrounding the.outlet of said annular passage and comprising two collection chamberswith eccentric side walls turning the flow toward tail water, and aseries of stay vanes at the outlet of said annular passage, the stayvanes on one side of the conduit having a different sectional curvaturefrom the stay 'vanes on the other side vof the conduit. V- Y 10. In ahydraulic turbine the combination with a runner having-a substantiallyaxial discharge, of a draft tube Vtherefor comprising an outer wall`formed as a surface of revolution flaring' outwardly away from theaxis, a central conical core member having its surface similarly flared,said core and walls forming between them an annular passage radiallyflaring from a central axis in lines adapted to maintain the-flow inlannular hollow column formation while changing its direction anddecelerating its velocity, and a chamber surrounding the outlet of saidannular passage and comprising two collection chambers with eccentricside walls turning the flow toward tail water and a series of stay vanesat the outlet of said annular passages, the stay vanes being generallyconvex toward tail water on one side of the conduit and generallyconcave toward tail water on the other side of the conduit.

1l. In a hydraulic turbine the combination with a runner having -asubstantially axial discharge, of a draft tube therefor having anaxially directed entrance portion and substantially radially directeddischarge portion forming an elbow between them with a gradually curvingsurface of relatively large radius of curvature at the inner bend of theelbow, and radially flaring side surfaces at the discharge end of saidentrance portion so that said entrance portion flares outward to thepoint of discharge into the discharge portion vof the draft tube, thesurface of the entranceV portion being extended substantially axially toform the end surface of the discharge portion at the outer bend of theelbow. 12. In a hydraulic turbine the combinationwith a runner having asubstantially` axialdischarge, of a drafttube therefor having an axiallydirected entrance portion and substantially radially directed dischargeportion kforming an elbow between them with a gradually curving surface'of relatively large radius of curvature at the inner bend of the elbowand radially flaring sideA surfaces at the discharge end of saidentrance portion so that said entrance portion flare-s outward to thepoint of discharge into the discharge portion of the draft tube, theouter bend of said elbow being formedalong lines of relatively sharpcurvature and connecting with an outwardly inclined surface o f saidentrance portion of the draft con- Y duit.'

13. A bine comprising an axial flow entrance portion generally circularin section increasing in crossvsection in the direction of flow to itsdischarge end, and a collector passage for substantially radiallydirected discharge portion receiving the flow from said entrance portionand V forming therewith an jelbow shaped. conduit with the bend of theyelbow 'formed at the outwardly flaring surface of vsaid entranceportion sov thaty the flow is'` spread radially outward at the `Vbendfrom vaxial to radial, said discharge portion re-A ceiving the fluidfrom said entrance portion upon a surface constituting the floor of.said collectorpassage.l y' t draft cond-uitfor a hydraulic tur-A Y allydirected discharge portion receiving the flow from said entrance portionand forming therewith an elbow shaped conduit with the bend of the elbowformed at the outwardly flaring surfaces of said entrance portion sothat the flow is spread radially outward at the bend from axial toradial, and a central conical core in the elbow portion of said conduitspreading the flow .outward into the discharge portion of said conduitand extending up into said axial portion. Y

15. lnl a hydraulic turbine the combination with a runner having asubstantially vaxial discharge7 of-a draft tube therefor having anaxially directed entrance portion and substantially radially directeddischarge portion forming an elbow between them with a gradually curvingsurface of relatively large radius of curvature at the. inner bend ofthe elbow and radially -flaring side surfaces at the discharge end ofsaid entrance portion so that saidentrance portion flares outward to thepoint of discharge into the discharge portion of the draft tube, theouter bend of said elbow being formed along lines of relatively sharpcurvature and connecting with an outwardly inclined surface of saidentrance portion of the draft conduit, and a series of stay vanesextending acrossthe conduit at the discharge end of said entranceportion.

k16. In a turbine the combination with a runner, of a draft conduithaving a portion of comparatively short length flaring toward a radialdirection at is outlet end, a

lstationary means extending into said flared Y' passage receiving theflow from said fiared 'portion ,andconducting a part of said flow f oneach side of the flared portion of the conduit and turning both parts ofthe flow into the downstream direction.

17. ln a turbine the combination with a runnen of a draft tube having aportion of cempanatively short length rflaring toward a radial directionat its outletr end, a discharge passagereceiving the flow from saidflared portion and conducting a part of said flow* on each side-of theflared portion and i yturning both parts kof the How into the down-'streaindirectiom and a fixed central means extending into the outletend of the flared portion of the conduit and terminating close to thedischarge end of the runner `to form an annular passage maintaining theiow in hollow column formation from the discharge end of the runnerthrough the outlet extremity of the flared portion of the conduit.

18. In a turbine the combination with a runner, of a draft tube having aportion of comparatively shortlength flaring toward a radial directionat its outlet end, a discharge passage receiving the flow froi'nsaid`flared portion and conducting a part of said flow on each side of theflared' portion and turning Vboth parts of the flow into the downstreamdirection, and a fixed central means extending into the outlet end ofthe flared portion of thefconduit to form an annular Vpassagemaintaining the flow in hollow column formation through the outletextremity of the flared portionv of the conduit.

19. A draft conduitfor a hydraulic turbine comprising an axialflowentrance portion generally circular in section increasing in crosssection in the direction of flow to its discharge end, and a collectorhaving a substantially radially directed discharge portion having abottom surface upon which the flow from said entrance portion yimpinges,said radial and entrance portions formingV an elbow shaped conduit withthe bend of the elbow formed at the outwardly flaring surface of saidentrance portion so that the flow is spread radially outward at the bendfrom axial to radial, said radial flow portion havingA a roof surfaceformed as a continuation of said flaring surfacefof said entranceportion. .l .l 20. A draft tube for turbines having inlet and outle-tportions with a bend or elbow between them, the upstream wall of theoutlet portion extending down to the surface on which the streamimpinges at the bend tangent to the stream.v

21. A draft tube for water turbines having a tapered inlet portion andan'outlet portion at an angle thereto, the upstream wall of the outletportion extending tangent to the stream in a straight line to thesurface of the outlet section impinged vby the stream passing throughthe tapered inlet portion.

22. A. draft tube for water turbines havinga tapered inlet portion witha bell mouth atA its end, and an outlet portion at an angle theretohaving a tangent upstream wall intersecting the bell mouth surface. Y

23. A draft tube for water turbines having a delivery section with aninlet formed by a flared top wall portionthe forward part of which iscontinued forwardly to form a longitudinal roof extension anda centralvertical lpier member supporting said extension from the door ofsaid-section. f

24.' A4 draft tubeA for water'- turbines having a delivery section withan .inlet formed by a flared top wall portion the forward part of whichcontinued forwardly to form a the roof as the free end of the section is`ap proached and a central vertical pier member supporting saidextension from the ioor of said section.

25. A draft conduit for a hydraulic turbine comprising an axial flowentrance portion generally circular in section and increasing incross-section in the direction of flow to its discharge end, and acollector passage having a substantially radially directed dischargeportion receiving the flow from said entrance portion upon a lowersurface, said radial and entrance portions forming an e1- bow shapedconduit with the bend of the elbow formed at the outward flaring edge ofsaid entrance portion so that the flow is spread radially outward at thebend from axial to radial, said radial flow portion having a roofsurface formed as a continuation of said flaring surface of saidentrance portion and said lower surface constituting the floor of saidcollector passage.

26. A draft tube for turbines having inlet land outlet portions with abend or elbow between them, the upstream wall of the outlet portionextending down to the surface on which the stream impinges at the bendtangent to the stream, and a cone supported by said surface andcooperating with said inlet portion, the lower end of said upstream bellbeing adjacent to the base of said cone.

28. A draft tube for water turbines having a tapered inlet portion witha bell mouth at its end, an outlet portion at an angle thereto having atangent upstream wall intersecting the bell mouth surface, and a conedisposed substantially centrally with respect to said bell mouth toprovide an annular passage.

29. A draft tube for water turbines having a tapered inlet portion witha bell mouth at its end, an outlet portion at an angle thereto havingatangent upstream wall intersecting the bell mouth surface, and a conedisposed substantially centrally with respect to said bell mouth toprovide an annular passage,

the height of said cone being materially greater than its mean diameter.

30. A. draft tube for water turbines having a tapered inlet portion witha bell mouth at its end, and an outlet portion at an angle theretohaving a tangent upstream wall intersecting the bell mouth surface, saidoutlet portion having a spiral collector passage starting from saidtangent upstream wall.

HARVEY nmol-IARD TAYLOR.

